Windmill



June 17,1930. FA. PFEIFEg Y 1,764,052

WINDMILL Filed July 20. 1926 2 Slleecs-Sheei'r 1 fltfoznu June 17, 1930. F.1A. PEiFER 1,764,052

WINDMILL I Filed July 20, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 17, 1930 Unirse sraras PATENT @FLEECE FERDINAND A. PFEIFER, OF SPRINGFIELD, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ON E-I-IALF TO SPENCER W. WARING', 0F SPRINGFIELD, OHIO Y WINDMILL Application filed July 20,

This invention relates to windmills and more particularly to that type of windmill comprising an outer structure or cylindrical cage having an annular series of vanes, and

an inner structure or rotor having a series of vanes so arranged that the air currents will be directed against them by the outer vanes.

One object of the invention is to provide such a windmill which will develop a large amount of power in proportion to the strength of the air currents.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a windmill which will be of 5 such a character that it will not be destroyed or damaged by high winds and in which the vanes will be so arranged as to automatically control the speed at which the rotor moves.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a windmill with vanes so constructed and arranged as to impart thereto a high degree of efficiency.

A further object of the invention is to provide a windmill of this type which will be 'so constructed that the inner structure or rotor and its associated parts may be removed as a unit.

A further object of the invention is to pro f 9,) vide such a windmill with improved means w for maintaining a constant lubrication of the bearings.

A further obj ect of the invention is to provide such a windmill which will be very simple in its construction and which can be manufactured at a relatively low cost.

Other objects of the invention will appear as the mechanism is described in detail.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line l1 of Fig. 2 showing a windmill embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. l; Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 3 8 of Fig. 2, showing the supporting lug partially in elevation; Fig. i is a sectional view of the lower bearing and its associated devices; Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the upper bearing and its associated parts.

In these drawings I have illustrated one Cil 1926. Serial No. 123,754.

form passageways which will direct air'currents into the cylindrical structure at angles to the respective radii thereof. Mounted within this outer structure is an inner structure or rotor having a plurality of trough shaped vanes so arranged that they will be actuated by the air currents entering through the passageways of the outer structure.

The outer stationary structure maybe of any suitable construction but, as here shown, it comprises upper and lowerl annular frame members 5 and G between which are mounted a series of vertical vanes 7, these vanes being rigidly secured at their respective ends to the two frame members. The several vanes are spaced equal distances apart about the circumference of the annular frame members and so arranged as to form passageways between the same. Each vane extends diagonally tothe annular frame members and at an acute angle to that radius of the cylindrical structure which intersects the same. While this angle may vary I have found 'that an angle of sixty degrees produces highly elicient results. With this arrangement of the vanes it will be noted that the passageways between the same converge slightly so that they are of less width at their inner ends than at their outer ends. The vertical body portions of the vanes are preferably flat and straight and means are provided for closing the upper and lower ends of the passageways between adjacent vanes, thus tending to confine the air within the passageways and preventing it from being diverted upwardly or downwardly while passing through the same. In the present construction each vane has its upper vand lower end portions bent inwardly, as shown at 8, and overlapping the respective annular frame members 5 and 6. As here shown, these inwardly extending portions of the vanes are approximately triangular in shape so that the outer edges thereofl extend at substantially right angles to the vane while the inner edges conform substantially to the inner edge of the adjacent annular frame member. The length of these inwardly extending portions of the vanes is greater than the distance between adjacent vanes and consequentlyy the inwardly exriveted to its frame member at two points,

. thus providing a very strong rigid construction. It will be noted lthat by extending the end portions of the vanes inwardly I have not only provided closures for the ends of Vthepassageways and means for conveniently attaching the vanes to the frame members but that the attaching means is such as to strongly brace the vanes against the action of the wind. 'Where the vanes are or' considerable length it may be desirable to brace them one against the other and I have in the present construction shown brace bars 9 extending between and rigidly secured to adjacentV vanes near the longitudinal centers thereof.

The inner structure or rotor may take various forms and may be mounted in various ways but in the particular construction here illustrated it comprises upper and lower end frame members 10 and 11, each of which is here shown as comprising a hub portion from which radiate a series of spokes, Vthe outer ends of which support an oct-agonal rim. Carried by these end frame members of the rotor are a series of trough shaped vanes which are spaced equal distances about the supporting structure and are so arranged that air currents entering the cylindrical structure through the passageways therein willenter the trough shaped vanes and impart movement thereto. These trough shaped vanes are preferably materially less in number than the stationary outer vanes and they are of such width that there will be a comparatively small clearance between the outer edges thereof and the inneredges of the stationary vanes. In the Ypresent constructionl each trough shaped vane is, as shown'at 12, formed of sheet metal and is curved about a longitudinal axis yso that each vane comprises in cross section slightly less than a semicircle. These vanes are rigidly secured at their inner edges to the supporting structure, the end members 10 and 11,.with their recessed sides Jacingrearwardly with relation to the direction of movement of the rotor. As here shown, the inner and outer edges of each trough shaped vane are arranged approximately in a radial plane but this arrangement may be varied ifV desired. Each trough shaped vane 12 is provided at its upper and lower ends with 4-vane and is flanged, as shown at 14, to provide means for securing the vane to the supporting'structure, this being accomplished in the present instance by passing bolts l5 through the flanges '14 and the rim lof the adjacent end member of the rotor. VPreferably reinforcing plates 16 are interposed between the head ofthe bolt and the liange to prevent the flange tearing away when thin metal is used. The rear edge of each closure plate extends outwardly and i'or- V wardly from the rear end ofy the'tlange 14 to the outer edge of the vane, thus causing the rear edges of the ,closuresA to extend diagonally to the plane of the two edges of the vane and providing a yvery strong brace for the vane.y The construction and arrangement oil the closures here shown provides not only means for closing the ends of the trough shaped vanes but further provides means for rigidly attaching lthese vanes to the supporting structure and ,for bracing the same against any tendency'to yield under air pressure.

It will be noted that the varrangement of V the two sets of Vvanes is such that'the rotor vanes larespaced short distances from the edges of the stationary vanesy and this arrangement," coupled with the shape of the vanes, causes a resistance or air friction to be established between the vanesfof the two sets as the rotor rotates, which resistance will increase as the speed or' the rotor increases and will serve to automatically regulate the rspeed of the rotor and prevent the same from running wild or rotating at such a speed as to cause damage thereto, in high winds. Y

The rotor may be mounted in any suitable manner but preferably it is mounted on a shaft which serves as a power transmitting device and which may be'connected through vany suitable mechanism with an apparatus which is to be driven. As here shown, I have mounted on both the upper and lower annular frames of the outer structure supplementalframes 17 and 18, the supplemental frames being here shown in the form of spiders. yThe lower supplemental frame, 18, is of such a size that it can be moved through the upper annular frame 5 of the outer structure and I have shown the lower annular frame 6 as provided with'inwardly J rly extending lugs 19 on which the ends of the :spider arms rest and to which they are detachably secured by means of bolts 20. rIhe lugs 19 have elongated end portions 21 which extend along the underside of the frame member 6 and are rigidly secured thereto by a part of the rivets which serve to secure the vanes to said frame member. The spider arms of the upper supplemental frame 7 rest directly upon the annular frame member 5 and are secured thereto by bolts 22 and nuts 23. Each supplemental frame carries a central bearing which is indicated as a whole by the reference numeral 241- and comprises an outer shell in which are mounted inner and outer ball racesl and 26 between which are mounted bearing balls 27. A shaft 28 extends through the inner ball races 25 of the two bearings and is provided with a shoulder 28 which rests upon the lower bearing to limit the downward movement of the shaft with relation to the bearing. There is no positive connection between the shaft and the ball race of the upper bearing, thus leaving the parts free for relative movement due to expansionV and contraction. This shaft extends through the hub portions of the upper and lower end members 10 and 11 of the rotor and is rigidly secured to these members, in the present instance by set screws 29. Rigidly secured to the shaft 28 for rotation therewith are oil cups 30 and 3l. which are arranged respectively beneath the lower and upper bearings 24 and into which the bearings extend, thus providing a constant supply of lubricant for the bearings. The circumferential wall of each oil cup is curved outwardly so as to form a pocket or recess in the outer circumferential portion of the oil cup, as shown at 32. In the present instance, these outer walls of the oil cups are approximately semi-circular in cross section and the recess formed therein is of such a capacity that it will contain a relatively large quantity of oil. Consequently when the oil cups rotate with the shaft the oil will be thrown outward by Acentrifugal force but will be retained in the circumferential recesses 32 so that little or none of the oil will be thrown out of the oil cup. In this 'manner I am enabled to use a. light oil which will not congeal in cold weather and thereby Vprovide constant lubrication for the bearings, it being necessary to renew the oil suponly at long intervals. It will be not-ed that the tops of the oil cups are arranged close to the hub portions of the respective spiders or supplemental frames, 17 and 18, so that these portions form in effect closures for the oil cups which will prevent the entrance of dirt or dust into the same. The lower oil cup 30 is supported wholly by the shaft but the upper oil cup 31 is rigidly secured to the upper end member 10 of the r' rotor and forms in effect a hub portion of that frame member. The hub portion of the lower end member 11 of the rotor is arranged just above the upper end of the bearing 24 and serves to prevent the entrance of dirt into this bearing. The hub portion of this end member has an opening 33 through which oil may be introduced into the bearing and oil cup.

If desired, a roof or top plate 34 may be mounted on the outer structure and, as here shown, this roof or top plate is in the form of a relatively flat cone and is rigidly secured to the upper annular frame member of the outer structure. In the present instance, the edges of the roof are apertured and the bolts 22, by means of which the upper spider 17 is secured to the frame member 5, extend through these apertures and nuts 36 are mounted on the bolts above the roof to secure the roof thereto. It will be noted that the roof rests upon the lower nuts 2.3 of the bolts so that the edge of the roof is spaced from the upper frame member to provide for the free escape of air which may pass upwardly from the rotor.

The operation of the windmill will be readily understood from the foregoing description thereof and it will be apparent that the outer structure is stationary and that the wind blowing against the same from any direction whatever will enter through the passageways and act upon the troughshaped vanes to impart movement to the rotor, this movement being transmitted through the shaft 28 to the parts to be driven. Not only will the rotor be actuated by a wind blowing in any direction but practically all the passageways on the windward side of the mill will be effective and air currents will be acting on half of the vanes of the rotor all the time. ways at the right-hand side of the mill, as shown in Fig. 2, will be effective as the air will strike the outwardly extending portions of the vanes and be diverted laterally through the passageways. The construction and arrangement is such that there is little likelihood of the mill being damaged by high winds, it having been found in practice that the mill when not anchored ,to its support will. withstand very high winds without being displaced. Further, the arrangement of the vanes is such as to automatically control the speed of the rotor and prevent the latter from being operated at such a high speed as to damage Vthe same. The construction is of a very strong rigid character but is such that the mill may be built at a relatively low cost, thus providing a low initial cost and low maintenance cost.

l/Vhile I have shown and described one embodiment of my invention I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the details thereof as various modi- Even the passage- Y mentioned vanes iications may occur to a person skilled in the'art.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new andl desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a windmill, an outer structure sub- Y stantially cylindrical in shape and comprising a series of stationary vanes, spaced apart and eachv extending at an .acute angle to the corresponding radius of' said cylindrical structure, a rotor mounted within said cylindrical structure and comprising a supporting structure, a plurality of trough shaped vanes carried by said structure, and closures for the ends of said trough shaped vanes, each of 'said closures having a part extending beyond the inner edge of the vane to provide means for securing said vane to said supporting structure.

2. In a windmill, an outer structure substantially cylindrical in shape and comprising a series of stationary vanes, spaced apart and each extending at an acute angle Vto the corresponding radius of said cylindrical structure, a supporting structure rotatably mounted within said cylindrical structure, a plurality yof vanes carried by said supporting structure, each of the last comprising a trough shaped` body portion arranged with its inner edge adjacent to said supporting structure; and plates secured to the ends of said body portion, each of said end plates being so shaped that the inner portion thereof 't will extend rearwardly beyond the inner edge of the body portion oi its vane, said rearwardly extending portion having a part by means of which said vanes may 'be secured to said supporting structure.

8. In'a windmill, an outer structure substantially cylindrical in shape and comprising a series of stationary vanes7 spaced apart and each extending at an acute angle to the corresponding radius of said cylindrical structure, a supporting structure rotatably mounted within said cylindrical structure, a plurality of vanes carried by said supporting structure, eachof said last mentioned vanes comprising a trough shaped body portionarranged with its inner edge adjacent to said supporting structure; and plates rigidly secured to the ends oit' said body portion, each of said plates having its rear edge extending from the outer edge of said body portion to a point spaced rearwardly from the inner edge of said body portion, and means for securing the inner portion of each end plate-tosaid supporting structure.

4, In a Windmill, an outer structure substantially cylindrical in shape and'comprising end frame members, and a plurality of vanes spaced apart to form passageways between adjacent vanes and each extending at an acute angle to the radius of said structure, each of said vanes having at each end thereof van inwardly extending portion secured to the adjacent end frame member ofs'aid structure and forming an end closure for one of said passageways, and a rotatable structure mounted within said' outer structure and comprising a series of vanes arranged to be acted upon by air currents form end closures for the respective passageways, the end portions of adjacent vanes overlapping one another, fastening devices extending through the overlapping end porportions of said vanes and through the respective end members of said structure, and a rotatable structure mounted within said outer structure and comprising vanes arranged to be acted upon by air currents entering said outer structure through said passageways.

6. In a windmill, an outer structure comprising annular end members and a plurality or' vanes arranged between said end members, extending outwardly beyond'the same and spaced apart to form passageways between adjacent vanes, each of saidy vanes having its end` portionsbent inwardly and overlapping the respectiveend members to form end closures for the respective passageways, the end portions of adjacent vanes overlapping vone another, vfastening devices extending through the overlapping end portions of said vanes and through the respective end members of said structure, .and a rotatable structure mounted within said outer structure and comprising trough shaped vanes havingtheir ends closed and so arranged that air currents passing through said passageways will enter the same and impart movement to said rotatable structure.

7. In a windmill, an outer structure comprising upperk and lower annular frame members and a plurality of vanes carried by said frame members and arrangedto form passageways leading to theinterior of said structure, supplemental frames supported respectively by said upper and lower annular frame members, the lower supplemental frame being of such a size that it may be moved through the upper annular frame member, van inner structure rotatably supported between said supplemental yframes and comprising a series of vanes arranged to be actuated by air currents vpassing' through the passageways of the outer structure and means for detachably securing said supplemental frames to the respectiveannular frame members, whereby said supplemental frames may be detached andfsaid inner structure and said supplemental frames removed as a unit from saidouter structure.

8. In a windmill, an outer structure comprising upper and lower annular frame members and a plurality of vanes carried' by said frame members and arranged to form passageways leading to the interior of said structure, supplemental frames supported respectively by said upper and lower annular frame members, the lower supplemental frame being oi such a size that it may be moved through the upper annular frame member, bearings carried by said supplemental frames, a shaft mounted in said bearings, a rotatable structure carried by said shaft and comprising vanes arranged to be actuated by air currents passing through the passageways of said outer structure, and means for detachably securing said supplemental frames to the respective annular frame members.

9. In a windmill, an outer structure comprising upper and lower annular frame members and a plurality of vanes secured to said *y frame members and arranged to form passageways leading to the interior of said structure, inwardly extending lugs carried by said lower frame member, a supplemental frame supported on said lugs, a second supplemental frame supported by said upper annular frame member, bearings carried by said supplemental frame members, a shaft journaled in said bearings, a rotatable structure mounted on said shaft and comprising vanes arranged to be actuated by air currents entering said outer structure through said passageways, and means for detachably securing said supplemental frames respectively to said upper annular frame member and to said lugs.

lO. In a windmill, an outer structure comprising upper and lower annular frame members, a plurality of vanes carried by said frame members and Varranged to form passageways leading to the interior of said structure, supplemental frames supported respectively by said upper and lower annular frames, bolts extending through said upper annular frame member and said upways of said outer structure, al dome shaped vcover arranged above said outer structure and resting upon said nuts, said cover having openings to receive said boltsa and nuts mounted on said bolts to retain said cover fin.

place thereon.

11. Ina windmill, an outer `structure comprising upper and lower frame members and a plurality of vanes carried by said frame members and arranged to form passageways leading to the interior of said structure, ani inner structure rotatably supported; within.- said outer structure and comprising a series of vanes arrangedto be actuated by air cure' rents passing through the passageways ot'r said outer structure, and a'domeshaped cover arranged above and supported bysaid outerstructure and having its edgespaced from said uppert'rame member.

l2. In awindmill, an outer structure sub-V stantially cylindrical in shape and comprising a series of stationary vanes spacedapart and each extending at an acuateangle to the corresponding radius of said cylindrical structure, Vand a rotor mounted within-sanl-` cylindrical structure and comprising a series oftrough-shaped vanes having their inne: edges spaced from the axisof said rotor to provide an axial passageway opening through the end of said rotorA and having said inneredges spaced one-from the other to provide passageways opening into said axial passageway, said trough-shaped "vanes being materially less inI numberthan said stationary vanesand being so arranged that air currents passing between saidstationary i vanes will enter said vtrough-shaped vanes, impart movement toA said rotor and escape through said axial passageway.

13. In a windmill, an upright 'outer structure substantially cylindrical in shape and comprising a series of stationary vanes spaced apart and each extending at an acute angle to the corresponding radius otsaidV cylindrical structure, and a rotor mounted'v within said cylindrical structure andcomprising a series of trougheshaped4 vanes closed at their ends, having their outer edges substantially parallel with the inner edges of said stationary vanes and so arrangedl that a narrow clearance will be provided between said edges, having their inner edges spaced from the axis of said rotor to provide an spaced one from the other to provide passageways leading tov said axial passageway., said trough-shaped vanes being so arranged' that air currents passing betweensaid stationary vanes will enter said trough-'shaped vanes, impart movement to said lrotorV and escape, throughl l said y ,axial passageway.

1li.v In a windmill, an outer structure suba stantially cylindrical in shape andicomprising a series `of stationary vanes spaced apartV and each extending at an acute angle Ito the:

corresponding radius of said' cilindrical structure, anda rotor, mountsd. 'Within A.said

axial passageway opening through the end'v 115 of said rotor, and "having said inner edges Vfrom the other and from the axis of said rotor,`eaeh of the last mentioned vanes being curved about a longitudinal axis and arranged with its longitudinal edges in a substantially radial plane, and individual closures for the ends of said curved vanes, said curved vanes being so arranged as to provide a narrow clearance between the outer edges thereof and the inner edges of said stationary vanes.v f

15. In a windmill, an upright outer structure substantially*cylindrical in shape and comprising a series kof stationary vanes spacedy apart and each extending at an acute angle tothe corresponding radius lof said cylindrical structure, and a rotor arranged within'said outer structure and comprising end members mounted respectively near the upper and lower ends of said outer structure for rotation about a common Vaxis and having openings'therethrough, and a series of y trough-shaped vanes rigidly secured at their inner edges tothe peripheral edges of said end members and having their inner edges spaced one from the other to provide passageways between the same, and individual closures Jfor the upper and lower ends of `each of said trough-shaped vanes.

. withinsaid outer structure and comprising end members mounted respectively near the upper'and lower ends of said outer structure for rotation about a common axisand having openings therethrough, a plurality Aof trough-shaped vanes spaced one from the other about the peripheries of said end members, and individual closures for the respective ends of each of said trough-shaped vanes, each of said closures-having a part extending beyond the inner edge ofits vane,y

and fasten-ing devices for securing said parts of said closures to therespective end mem-` bers.

17. In a windmill7 an upright ,outer struc-V ture substantially cylindrical inv shape andv comprising a series of stationaryy vanes Y' spaced apart and each extending fat an acute angle to the corresponding radius Vof said cylindrical structure, and arotor arranged within said outer structure and comprising end members mounted respectively near the upper and lower ends of said outer structure for rotation about a common axis and having openings therethroughya plurality of Vtrough-shaped vanes spaced one from the other about the peripheries of said end members, individual closures 'for the respective ends-of each ofsaidtrough-shaped vanes,

each ,of said closures having a Aflange to embrace the adjacent end of its vane, said flange extending beyond the inner edge of said vane7 and .fastening devices for securing the projecting ends of said flanges to said end members. Y

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature hereto. Y

FERDINAND A. IFIJIFER.

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